As DC Comics continue to struggle to find the same uber successful formula bestowed upon Marvel, black actors continue to get a decent look in. We just brought you news about DC’s Superman Prequel Krypton being picked up as a series by SyFy channel starring three British Blacklisters [read here], and Star Trek: Discovery, with its African-American female lead, allowed a 2-episode expansion for the first series [read here].

Well, now beautiful British Blacklister Christine Adams co-stars as Lynn Stewart the ex-wife of Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), AKA the title character in Black Lightning a new series recently picked up by CW. One of the first major African-American vigilante superheroes from DC Comics, Black Lightning was created by writer Tony Isabella, who had previously written for Marvel’s Luke Cage, and artist Trevor Von Eeden since April 1977. A whole lotta man, Williams is one of those familiar faces (hitman Wyatt in Prison Break, 2009, and ex-football star-turned Mayor Lavon Hayes in Hart of Dixie, 2011-15) who you hoped would score their own vehicle. Well, here it is!

Having suppressed his inborn meta-human abilities, Jefferson Pierce hung up the superhero suit and his secret identity to live the life of a committed school Principal, husband and father. The pilot episode picks up as he is pulled back in to fight as the vigilante hero, to give hope where justice is lacking and promise to young lives being threatened by local gang, The 100. Just to make things a little more interesting, it seems that super powers run in the family, as one of his daughters Anissa and Jennifer, played by Nafessa Williams and China Anne McClain, respectively, begins to show the same physical abilities and moral duty as dear old dad!

Christine Adams as ‘Lynn’ in Black Lightning

Also, we LOVE London-born Christine Adams, and we think that she will woo a legion of new fans as Lynn – who is described as exuding confidence and intelligence, with a mischievous side, but she’s not one to be trifled with when it comes to family! Adams has an impressive CV with strong sci-fi and fantasy experience – (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014-15), Terra Nova (2011), TRON: Legacy (2010), Heroes (2009) Pushing Daisies (2007-09), Batman Begins (2005), Doctor Who (2005), Stargate SG-1 (2003)). We are so excited for her!

At the end of March, whilst filming was underway in Atlanta, it was revealed that Black Lightning will crusade in an updated Costume Designers Guild Award-nominated costume by Laura Jean Shannon (Jumanji sequel, The Jungle Book, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Blade: Trinity, Good Girls Revolt and Iron Man)!

So, Black Lightning, the series hails from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. But, it is obvious that CW and DC are hoping to copy the success of Marvel’s Luke Cage, which had a hugely successful run on Netflix last Autumn. For the sake of the fantastic cast, we wish them well!